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The nursing shortage in the United States is not a new problem, but in 2026 it has reached a scale that healthcare systems can no longer absorb quietly. Several long-running pressures have converged at once.
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, the country faced a shortfall of roughly 78,610 full-time-equivalent registered nurses entering 2025, with the national RN shortage projected to worsen toward 10% by 2027. Demand keeps climbing while supply struggles to keep pace.
The causes are interlocking rather than isolated:
An aging workforce. A large share of experienced nurses are nearing retirement, and more than a million RNs are expected to leave the profession by 2030.
An aging population. As the general population ages, the need for hospital care, long-term care, and home health services rises sharply.
Burnout and attrition. Staffing inadequacies, emotional exhaustion, and workplace stress continue to push nurses out of clinical roles.
A shortage of nursing educators. Qualified applicants are often turned away from nursing programs because there aren’t enough faculty and clinical placements to teach them.
The result is a widening gap that hits rural communities, behavioral health units, and long-term care settings hardest—and a sustained, long-term demand for new nurses entering the field.
Common Questions About the Nursing Shortage and Getting Started
Is there really a nursing shortage in 2026?
Yes. Federal agencies and independent analysts agree the gap is significant and projected to persist. Estimates point to a nationwide shortage of more than 250,000 registered nurses by 2030, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects roughly 189,100 RN openings every year through 2034. The shortage varies by state and setting, but the national trend is consistent.
Does the shortage make this a good time to become a nurse?
For people considering the field, the demand signals strong, durable job opportunities across many settings—hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and home health. Sustained openings and ongoing recruitment efforts mean new nurses are entering a workforce that actively needs them. As with any career decision, outcomes depend on your location, role, and qualifications, so it’s worth researching the job market where you plan to work.
How fast can I actually start working in healthcare?
Faster than most people expect. You don’t have to complete a four-year degree before you can work. A tiered approach lets you enter the workforce at an entry-level clinical role first, then keep advancing while you’re employed.
What is the CNA → PN → ASN pathway?
It’s a step-by-step route into nursing that lets you start earning early and build credentials over time:
- CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) — the entry point. You gain hands-on patient care experience quickly and can begin working in the field.
- PN (Practical Nursing) — the next step toward becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) by preparing for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam.
- ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) — the path toward becoming a Registered Nurse (RN), opening the door to bedside care and a broader range of roles.
Do I have to do all three steps?
No. The pathway is designed to meet you where you are. Some students start as a CNA and stop there; others use each step as a launch point for the next. You can also enter at the PN or ASN level depending on your background and goals.
What’s the advantage of starting with a CNA role instead of going straight for an RN degree?
Starting as a CNA lets you earn income, gain real clinical experience, and confirm that nursing is right for you—often within weeks rather than years. That experience can strengthen your confidence and your application as you advance toward PN and ASN credentials.
How the Tiered Pathway Helps You Enter the Workforce Faster
A multi-tier approach turns a long journey into a series of achievable steps. Instead of waiting until the very end to enter healthcare, you start working early and let each credential build on the last.
Step 1 — Start as a Certified Nursing Assistant. The fastest entry point into patient care. As a CNA, you work directly with patients under the supervision of an RN or LPN, learning the fundamentals of bedside care. Explore the Nursing Assistant (CNA) program at Cambridge.
Step 2 — Advance to Practical Nursing. Build on your foundation and prepare to become a Licensed Practical Nurse by training for the NCLEX-PN exam. Learn more about the Practical Nursing (PN) program at Cambridge.
Step 3 — Earn your Associate of Science in Nursing. Take the step toward becoming a Registered Nurse, opening doors to bedside care and a wider range of clinical and entry-level RN positions. See details on the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program at Cambridge.
Each tier stands on its own and stacks toward the next, so you can earn, learn, and advance at the pace that fits your life.
Take the First Step Toward Your Nursing Career
The nursing shortage isn’t slowing down—and that means the workforce needs compassionate, well-trained nurses now. At Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology, you don’t have to choose between starting quickly and building a lasting career. You can do both.
Whether you’re ready to begin as a Certified Nursing Assistant, advance through Practical Nursing, or work toward your Associate of Science in Nursing, our programs are designed to meet you where you are and take you where you want to go.
Quick Summary
- The shortage is structural, not temporary. Projections estimate a nationwide gap of more than 250,000 registered nurses by 2030, driven by an aging workforce, burnout, and a shortage of nursing educators.
- More than 1 million RNs are projected to retire by 2030, removing the most experienced clinicians from the workforce at the same time demand is rising.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects roughly 189,100 RN job openings per year through 2034—a hiring pace that current training pipelines have not been able to fill.
- You don’t have to wait years to start. A tiered pathway lets you enter the workforce quickly and keep advancing: CNA → PN → ASN.
- Each step pays. You can begin earning and gaining clinical experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant in as little as a few weeks, then build toward Licensed Practical Nurse and Registered Nurse roles.
Ready to get started?
Connect with the Cambridge admissions team today to find the program—and the entry point—that’s right for you. Your nursing journey can begin sooner than you think.